Age verification laws designed to block children from online porn sites are sweeping the US, Io Dodds writes. But do they actually protect children, or is there another agenda at work?

Summary

Several U.S. states have enacted laws requiring pornography sites, such as PornHub, to implement age verification to prevent minors’ access, prompting the site’s parent company, Aylo, to block access in affected states.

Proponents argue these laws protect children, while critics highlight privacy risks, inefficiencies, and potential censorship.

These measures reflect growing social conservatism, with some advocates aiming to restrict adult content broadly.

While privacy-focused age verification methods exist, regulatory clarity is lacking.

Critics warn these laws may suppress responsible platforms, favoring unregulated alternatives, and escalate broader culture wars around sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights.

  • @captainlezbian
    2•1 day ago

    Exactly. I didn’t transition until it was a choice between transition and suicide and I regret holding myself to that bar. It used to be the advice back in the day and like it makes sense when step 1 is start lying to a psychologist because they’re rampantly misogynistic but only to trans women (and also hold trans men to unrealistic standards of manhood), and step 2 is decide if you think it’s worth ever seeing your family and friends again.

    • @nickiwest
      1•12 hours ago

      I’m sorry that was your experience. I’m sure it was hard, but I’m glad you made the choice that means you’re still here to tell your story.